The well-known Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto introduced its Kanji of the 12 months on December 12, deciding on the Japanese kanji used for “struggle” and “battles.” It’s learn “sen” or “izuna,” and written in Japanese characters as 戦.
At 2 PM in Kyoto, Seihan Mori — the chief priest of the Kiyomizu temple favored amongst vacationers — stepped in entrance of the white canvas and drew the Japanese character.
The 戦 Kanji acquired essentially the most votes of 2022 — over 18,000 out of over 223,000 whole submissions. This was the second time that 戦 has grew to become the character of the 12 months. It was chosen the final time in 2001, when the 9.11 terrorist assaults in opposition to the US shook the world.
This 12 months, the primary causes for selecting the character have been Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and North Korea’s missile launches. That’s based on the spokesperson from The Japanese Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, which runs the annual occasion.
The group additionally cited components such because the weak Japanese yen and rising price of dwelling, which have contributed to residents feeling a way of battle, or “battle” in on a regular basis life.
There have been additionally extra constructive causes for selecting the Kanji. Amongst them, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, which showcased the achievements of Japanese athletes. These examples emphasize the sense of sportsmanship and competitors, bringing in one other nuance of the Kanji of the 12 months, 戦.
Kiyomizu Temple’s number of the Kanji of the 12 months expresses a recurring theme discovered all year long that’s simply ending. On this case, it displays the 12 months 2022.
One 12 months in the past in 2021, the Kanji chosen was gold, or kin 金, a reference to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Video games. In 2020, the Kanji of the 12 months was mitsu, or 密. This character means “crowded.” It grew to become a buzzword within the authorities’s messaging throughout COVID-19 pandemic to discourage folks from gathering in crowded areas and shut contact settings.
Chief Priest Mori mirrored on the previous 12 months of 2022 in a remark broadcast by NHK. “I feel that the struggle in Ukraine left a deep impression on folks. I hope that the New 12 months will convey extra peace of thoughts to everybody.”
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